Issaquah police use new surveillance system to target package thieves

Issaquah police are using technology to target package thieves. They hope they will be able to catch thieves in the act with a new kind of surveillance system.

The Issaquah Police Department bought several Ring doorbell surveillance camera systems. They're lending the devices to residents, including some who have already been victimized by package theft.

The motion-activated surveillance system contacts the homeowner by sending a live video stream using WiFi to his or her smartphone.

"On your phone the app will come up and show you the video of whoever is on your porch," explained Officer Ryan Smith, "If you push 'accept' you can have a conversation with them and can tell them to get off your porch or whatever you want."

If the person is delivering a package, it lets the homeowner know the package has arrived. If someone is on the porch, the homeowner can talk to the individual using his or her smartphone, letting the would-be thief think the homeowner is inside the residence. If a package is stolen, the video can be easily shared with police.

"They can help us, we can help them and try and catch some of the people who have been doing it," said Smith.

Issaquah police say package thefts keep going up. They see the biggest problem in the most densely populated areas, including Issaquah Highlands and Talus.

Smith hopes the department is able to buy more Ring devices to share with residents, all of the devices they have are currently in use in the community. Anyone can buy a Ring device, they cost about $200.

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